, 1887-09-28
THE G 4. R.
Bad Weather Spells the Pleas
ures of the Day.
Candidates for the Position of
Commander.
Prisoners Pardoned by the
President.
THE G 4. R.
The Encempment.

OF. LOUIS, sept. 2i.-Raln, mud and
gloom played havoc with the Grand
Army arrangements to-day, and when the
grand parade was given up the boys had
nothing to do but hunt up places of
amusement. The exposition, consequent
ly, was the barbor of thousands and Gil
more had prepared a special programme
of national airs and war songs. The vet
Grams came to see the sights and they
marched about until the sidewalks were
sogged with mud from camp to camp and
from hotel to hotel. The column, accom-
panied by drum corps or band, serenading
and serenaded, and the tramp, tramp,
tramp and beat OF the drum continually
resounded in the corridors of the hotels, OF
an occasional quartette or glee club would
vary the Instrumental music.
In the state headquarters at the LIN.
dell hotel crowds jammed the doors, and
for hours the comrades gathered around
the famous MANNED staff of Governor
Rusk. Registration continued necessarily,
but still not one quarter of the men in the
city enrolled their names.
OF all the states represented Kansas
reports the greater number Of soldiers,
with Illinois following; then probably
Iowa and Missouri, and enough are from
all quarters to give a good expression OF
opinion from every department. A petit
ton is being generally signed asking con
gress to pass a bill for INDECENT veterans.
Such a bill, it is said, will be agreed upon
by the encampment. On the flag issue
there Is but one expression Of opinion,
and the subject is passed over with a sat
lstied air that the flags are still there.
Delegates to the convention have been
moving about visiting the different bodies
to day, and Grier, in their minds, is the
best man for the position Of commander
In chief. Gen. Sherman, it is understood,
has declined to accept the office under the
circumstances 1t Is generally conceded
hat he would be chosen without opposi-
ton if he would accept. Among the
other candidates there appears to be no
material advantage. Gen. Slocum's
friends are moving every where making a
determined fight. Their headquarters in
the Southern hotel are open at all hours,
and engravings of the candidate are
placed in prominent places. New York
and the East have the handling of his
forces. Gen. Grier and Mai. Warner
draw from the same section of country,
both drawing from the West, Their
friends are busy but quiet.
The Minnesota men have brought out
Judge John G. Rae and his candidacy has
somewhat changed the calculations, as he
will draw from all. Many predict the
election of a dark horse, or an indefinite
session.
The third national convention of the
Women's Relief Corps meets at the same
time as the ~twcnty-irst annual encamp-
mcnt of thu G. A. Il. Their convention
will be called to order at Harmonic hall
at 10 o'clock to morrow morning. -Ircsi-
dent Mrs. Elizabeth DARN HINES report
for the year Just closed has been given out
and shows a large increase. The secretary
reports the general fund on hand So 100;
relief fund on hand $50. $50.
The Grand Army committee on pen
sions have recommended That the ladies
push a bill for the pensioning of army
nurses.
At 7:3o this evening the aid on the
staff of Commander in Chief Lucius Fair.
child assembled at the generals head.
quarters at the Southern hotel with their
friends and presented to him the badge OF
past commander in chief of the Grand
Army of the Republic. The gold eagle
holds in its talons the pink badge sur.
rounded by a fringe OF diamonds, and in
the field four large guns are set in
stars. The star hanging from the
ribbon is studded with many gems, there
being seventy-one in all. Comrade John
II. Cook. OF Lafayette post, No. I'd, OF
New York City, member of the staff,
made the presentation. Gen. Fairchild
was visibly affected, and in thanking his
staff displayed his attachment to them
and commended their loyalty to the
Grand Army. While his friends were
extending congratulations Comrade Cook,
on behalf Of the staff, presented a gold
watch to Adit. Gray.